I have it all. Why Not?

CNN PRODUCER NOTE Working mother Lwunderlich says she is fortunate to work for a major company that helps in being flexible and that smart scheduling is important. "I firmly believe in sticking to a schedule. Kids like consistency, so whatever choice you make, stick to a plan," she says. "With the help of a fantastic husband it has not been terribly difficult. Yes, it is challenging, but I accept that risk and only work and dwell on what I can control.”
- Anika3, CNN iReport producer

When I think about Marissa Mayer at Yahoo! I can't help but be proud of her. She is just a year older than me and I can say I am also a little jealous. I work in Technology for Procter & Gamble. I have programmed since i was 7 years old and I don't fit the mold of 100% geek. I am proud that I have worked very hard to be where I am at, all while having four children 11, 10, 3, 1 years of age. When people say they don't have time I tell them that I have 4 children, work for a fortune 500 company, doing my MBA and travel. It can be done.

People will say that I am really sacrificing something. I don't think so, I have only given up what I don't want. My house is not very clean, i don't bake for my child's school, i am not in the PTO, I don't participate in 6 kids activities at once, I don't buy Magazines,or watch reality TV, I don't read anything that will not improve my brain or life in general, I don't feel guilty about what i can't control, Sleep is a priority and having a good sense of humor. The real trick is that I have a husband who does his 50%, and I don't mean taking out the trash. He also cooks, cleans, changes diapers, shuffles kids to daycare and school, pays the bills and yes even Laundry (I am OK with pink and gray accidents, it happens). We don't have nannies, maids, cooks or gardeners. We either do it or it does not get done. We just don't try to compete with everyone in everything. I could care less about being a Martha Stewart at home and fighting to be CEO at the same time.

People ask how Marissa Mayer would make it work, I would say to them, How many male CEO's have children and how do they make it work? It can be done. She will most likely not be at PTO meetings, will not bake (all the time), will not be at every playdate or school event, will not cook, clean or mow the lawn. She will not have to do those things so that she can spend quality time with her children and husband. I would not even be surprised if she doesn't have more spare time then many Stay at Home Moms (busiest people on earth). So if giving up domestic duties is a "sacrifice" for success, then BRING IT ON!.

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